Creative firms and creative teams are unique and different from other types of businesses. Managing creative teams is challenging. Here is a notebook of thoughts and ideas.

1. managing creativity:
Ideas that engage, inform and inspire.

2. “As a manager you must
figure out how to make
it happen.”
But we are human-centered designers too,
so it only makes sense to be user-centered
in how you lead teams.
Hey, “people
stuff” is not fluffKey take-aways:
• The people you
manage are users
of your system
• Those people are:
> your staff / team
> your clients
> you.
...by the way, if your life is a little messy, your management will be too.

3. “Leaders work within
and beyond the team
by considering the
present and future.”
Coach Direction-setter
Spokesperson Change-agent
Do we have
the skills we need?
Where are we going?
How will we get there?
present future
within the team
beyond the team
Do the right
people know what
we’re doing?
How will we
continue to be
successful?

4. Some of the day-to-day
tasks that managers may
perform:
_ Planning
_ Staffing
_ Organizing
_ Leading
_ Monitoring
_ Communicating
Book Recommendation:
“Getting Things Done”
by David Allen

5. “Separate issues on
appropriate levels, with
lists for each.”
Here’s an example of some of the
levels with which you may create
lists:
> current activities
> current projects
> areas of responsibility
> 1-2 year goals
> 3-5 year visions
> life
tip: schedule time to check these lists
Budget your time.
Spend 2 mins or less on email.
Learn to trust your schedule.
Stop worrying about anything
except what’s on it.

6. “Be kind, for everyone
you meet is fighting a
a great battle” -Philo of Alexandria
What might creative team members
be facing?
What information do you need to create
a team? ...turn the page and find out!
breathing, food, water, (sex), sleep
security of body, (employment)
friendship, family
self-esteem
achievement
respect
morality
acceptance
creativtiy

7. What information do
you need to know about
a potential addition to
your team?
_ workstyle
_ ability to meet deadlines
_ strengths + weaknesses
_ prospect for future collaboration
(diversity is a wonderful thing)
How can you get the
information you need?
(due dilligence)

8. On client expectations:
the perceptual
difference is
greater in the
mind of the
client.
time
workdone
w
hereclientthinksyou
are
How can you make the
design process more
transparent?
actual
The design process is not linear, it’s iterative and often
happens in fits and spurts. In managing a client
relationship it is helpful and kind to give your own
creative team an earlier internal deadline than that which
you give your client. (But don’t tell them!)

9. On Openness:
It is ethical and kind to acknowledge
team contributions when presenting
work. For example: “We are proud
to have done this for you...”
what are some ways you can make
people feel more connected?
I felt slightly
invisible today : (3 signs of a
miserable job:
> anonymity
> irrelevance
> immeasurement
as a former employee
you should go to
great degrees to
prevent these from
happening.

10. “..be people-oriented
rather than process-
oriented.”
Why? Because requirements are going
to change constantly but your team is
made up of professionals.
On the flip side, clients and managers
like to know that processes are being used—
it makes them feel all warm and fuzzy.
ask your team:
- what’s working?
- what’s stuck?
- what’s next?
Hey John,
can you status me
on that?
Let’s time-box
this meeting.

11. “How you make
suggestions matters
most of all.”
“great idea!”
Celebrate what someone is coming up with.
“Can you say more?”
“I appreciate that, but..”

12. “Beg your clients to
be visual, really beg.”
Here are some brainstorming
rules:
> align on a goal
> build on eachothers’ thoughts
> capture every idea
> defer evaluation
> express visually and tangibly
> focus on quantity
tip: Involve administrative assistants
Clients think it’s cool and then they
become your advocates.
what do you do after the brainstorm session?
- cluster worksheets by relationship
- highlight winners
- vote (everyone gets 3 votes..e.g.)

13. Here are some tips for
working with a client:
Client feedback can be rough, so be sure to:
> maintain your professionalism
> accept the input with thanks
> probe underlying reasons
> acknowledge shortcomings – if necessary
offer to return with revisions. But...
> don’t overcompensate, know your limitations.
Give them what they’re
asking for, and then give
them what you think is a
better option.
Thanks. We
used your
standards.
We really like
this, could you
make it bigger?

14. “He/She who grabs the
marker has control”
Here are some codes of conduct
about meetings:
> if you are the facilitator, try
to synthesize what was said
at the end of the meeting
> be aware of who is standing
up or sitting down (see above)
> look for allies, ask for their
support
If a client is having a bad day or wants
to agree to disagree, remember empathy:
- listen to their problem, make yourself care
- how can your needs be part of their situation?

15. “Make profitability a
part of your thinking.”
What’s your day rate, by the way?
Is it enough? Too much?
Hey, did you know?
> Hiring freelancers is a great
and wonderful thing when
you have some holes to fill..
but outsourcing takes 25%
of your time too.
tip: Make friends with excel and
spreadsheets. Use a workplan
to drive your budget – and get
your Shakespeare players to their
Shakespeare parts.

16. “Actively practice
active listening”
On behalf of all your clients:
> “How are you feeling about
our progress so far?”
> “ Are there any developments
on your end?”
> “ Is there anything else I
can do to help you?”
“ So, what I’m hearing you say is...”
(say it. mean it. do it.)

17. “Feedback is needed on
a project level, and on
a career level.”
The internal attributes of a leader matter
as much as what you do externally.
What things can a creative
team do to encourage
growth?
fill this framework in for yourself.
From To How
determination
intellectual
flexibility
character
emotional
well-being

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Marketing Communications
The Design Channel, LLC
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